September 1587, 1-10

Sept. 1.

THE QUEEN to the town of CAMPHERE.
Having heard that they have refused except by consent of her
Lieutenant General, the Earl of Leicester to receive certain
companies sent in without his privity ; but are willing to accept
such as she herself shall put in, provided they are duly paid, as
is the garrison at Flushing :she thanks them for this proof of
their devotion, assures them of her own affection and determination
to do all she can for the good of their town, and states that fearing
some practice to the prejudice thereof, she believes it will be very
fitting for the said Earl to send some troops thither ; to whom
she will give orders so duly to pay them, that the town shall
not only be defended against dangers, but be bettered by their
aid.
Minute. Endd. with date, name of town, etc. Fr. 1 pp.
[Ibid. XVIII. f. 1.]

Sept. 1.

THE PRIVY COUNCIL to LEICESTER.
We have received from your lordship two letters, of the 12th
and 19th of August ; the first concerning the relief of Sluys.
We were all persuaded before . . . that you had used the uttermost
care and industry that was possible. Your letters and the
other pieces sent have confirmed our opinion.
And albeit your lordship may haply hear of some misreports
given out by base and malicious persons, we doubt not but
that in your wisdom you can judge how hard it is to give satisfaction
to everybody, and "therefore, seeing that men of judgment . . .
rest thoroughly satisfied with your honourable proceedings . . .
your lordship shall do well not to be troubled or grieved
with such vain speeches and bruits, a matter that the greatest
princes and potentates have been always subject unto." We
have very attentively heard your replies to the answers of the Lord
Buckhurst, Sir John Norreys and Wilkes . . . but do forbear
to proceed further therein until her Majesty shall have seen the
replies, although as yet she seemeth not to be at leisure for the same,
when we mean to proceed to the charging of the said parties,
whereof your lordship shall also have report from us. (fn. 1)
Touching the running away of the soldiers into this realm without
passport, we had already written to Lord Cobham to have
such apprehended as should thus repair to the ports within
his jurisdiction, as likewise, sithence, to certain justices of Essex
to do the same.
Minute. Endd. with date. 2 pp. [Ibid. XVIII. f. 3.]

Sept. 1.

BURGHLEY to ANDREA DE LOO.
I forgot in my letter to add that her Majesty sends a safe-conduct
under her hand and seal for the King of Denmark's
commissioners, to come safely into the provinces under her
protection. You may do well to impart this to the Duke, and
move him (if he like of that King's intercession) to send one in
like manner to Emden, as hers is, to be ready against their
coming. Mr. Controller knows the contents of these my letters,
and will write also thereof.1 September, 1587.
Postscript. In a new safe-conduct, these words should be
omitted :"Entendant que la serenissime royne d'Angleterre
seroit intentionne d'entrer en quelque trait d'accord et pacification."
Holograph. Endd. p. [Flanders I. f. 327.]

Sept. 3.

SIR RICHARD BYNGHAM to WALSINGHAM.
The report of a peace greatly dislikes the States and great
ones ; "especially the Count Morrize and the Prince of Orange
his friends," who think it impossible there can be any such
assurance for performance of good conditions as may stand with
their safety ; but that the Prince of Parma, knowing himself
to be the causer of the Prince of Orange his death, will continually
fear that the son will endeavour himself to work his revenge
. . . and the others, . . . do fear that they shall not be so well
provided for as shall be requisite for their securities. And on
the other side, they conjecture that if it be not peace, his Excellency
being so well addicted to the common sort, and their like
so generally towards him, as their receipts shall be looked into
and then their authority shall decline . . . .
"Truly, if an honourable peace might be concluded, and good
assurance for the performance thereof, with contentment to the
Prince of Orange's children and friends, it should be much better
for her Majesty than to maintain such a bagging, confused course
of wars as this is, and most miserable to all sorts of people . . ."
I account myself most bound to your honour for the good
dispatch you have procured for me into Ireland, "though I
greatly fear the good success thereof, so malicious is the Deputy
in his proceedings against myself. I have also received sundry
letters importing his untrue and false informations against me
the which I greatly desire to answer."Flushing, 3 September,
1587. Stilo angl.
Signed. Add. Endd. 1 pp. Seal of arms [Holland XVIII.
f. 9.]

Sept. 3.

WILLIAM PIPER to WALSINGHAM.
According to your commands, I came over with Sir Richard
Bingham, arriving at Floshing on July 25, where I came to my
lord of Leicester, delivered your honour's letter, and presented
my service, but "received a very cold answer for my entertainment
in any good place of service," and should have returned
to you had not Sir Richard commanded me to stay with him,
who being then made master of the Ordnance, desired me to be
his lieutenant, "and do use the same." On the loss of Sluyce,
it was thought the enemy would sit down before Ostend, on
which my lord Marshal hastened thither, and I was commanded
to go with him. We found there 19 companies, but in five or
six days his lordship called away nine. We have now only ten
companies, "too little by eight if the enemy should attempt us
at a sudden with any great force," as our greatest strength
consists in men and in keeping our town ditches full of water,
which often we cannot do, for our sluices being broken and
decayed, at every neap tide the ditches are empty. Also the
waterworks of the town are broken, "which should defend the
main sea, "which, if they be not repaired, "doth and will so
gain that it will endanger the town." If we had eight more
companies and some fifty horse, I think we could do some service
upon the enemy, "for they environ us round about within two
dutch miles, which we might some time visit if we had those
forces, for I cannot hear but that many of his towns and sconces
are weakly manned, and 'Bridges' hath before the loss of
"Sleuce" hath been very desirous to have gone over unto her
Majesty." Also, if we had two or three small men of war, it
would not only keep the passage safe between us and Flushing,
but we could annoy them by sea, by landing men in places on
their coast which we cannot come at by land.
If order be not taken on your coasts for "reprayhenching"
all soldiers who arrive without passport and sending them back
to be executed for 'insample' to others, we shall hardly this
winter keep any, for few of the private men "carryeth the mind
of soldiers, therefore they must be ruled with rigour, for courtesy
will not serve. Within this month, fifty of our garrison have
run to Newport, taken the enemy's passport to Calais, and so got
passage to England. "We have here a very honourable minded
gentleman to our governor, Sir John Connaway, who is both painful
and careful." We are reasonably well provided of powder and
shot and great ordnance ; but some provision should be made for
fuel to burn this winter, otherwise I think there will be few houses,
before it is past, standing in Ostend, for the soldiers of the town
have pulled half of them down already and burned them, and if
not looked to, "will bring it from a town unto a sconce." I pray
you thank Sir Richard Bingham for his care of me. Our soldiers
have so far had their lendings but they are so unruly that if
these fail but for two days they are ready to mutiny.Owstend,
3 September, 1587.
Add. Endd. 2 pp. [Holland XVIII. f. 11.]

Sept. 3.

THOMAS KNYVETT to WALSINGHAM.
I know not to whom better to address my rude conceits of things
to be considered of for her Majesty's service.
Upon some apparent show of disagreement between the States
and his Excellency, and hearing that Count Hollock had sworn all
soldiers (within his government) to himself and against his
Excellency "who at the same instant had put eight companies
into Delphes haven and as many about Maeslant Slucewherewith
all the towns and people of Holland were so stirred as we
feared a present revolt, and whether it will do more good to terrify
the States or hurt to offend the people," only the end will show
to prevent the worst, on the 27th of last month, our Governor
went to Dorte to his Excellency to require supply of such things
as this garrison needs, but with no result. I gave a note of them
by her Majesty's order to my lord Treasurer and his Excellency
at Nonsuch and was referred to some order to be taken at his
coming over when the States and he were agreed in matters of
more moment, and in the meantime he would write for supply
thereof. We hear that ordnance, powder and other necessaries
are come to Flushing, so as that town is thoroughly furnished.
Whether he thinks this place less needful of regard I cannot
say, but we have no store of victual, powder or munition certain
to this garrison for one day, and in the whole town not for two
weeks. The powder made here is carried away as it is made,
and if we should stay it, we may give offence and do ourselves
no good. For want of money to pay their debts, the soldiers
fall into infinite wants ; at the present, a third of the garrison
is sick and not able to serve, and being without credit we lose
the good-will of the artificers etc. of the town. Thus, wanting
ability, credit and goodwill, I leave it to you to think how it will
affect us unless the differences between her Majesty and the States
be better compounded than I see any likelihood of. "I assure
myself that neither the States nor the magistrates of this town
would willingly we should ever be in better state than we are,
for their end is liberty, which they fear is not ours," although
we deal with them only by the points of the contract, and my
lord forbears to erect any provision of victuals or munitions
except as ordered by your honours, although reason and duty
would urge him to it for our security. With a stock of money,
I could maintain a continual store of both, without any other
allowance than the ordinary one to myself and my company ;
only I should require licence to employ the stock as I shall
think fit for the service.Brill, 3 September, 1587.
Add. Endd. 2 pp. [Holland XVIII. f. 13.]

Sept. 3.

LORD WILLOUGHBY to WALSINGHAM.
Sending letters intercepted by the soldiers of Bergen, (fn. 2) and
recommending M. de Thouraize, "a prinsoner of Burghes"
as an honourable gentleman, wonderfully accomplished, and one
who may much further a peace, if such is intended, and he
were in England. Also, they might "much bind the Princess
of Orange by exchanging him for M. Teligny, whom no doubt but
he will redeem."
The enemy's camp remains in Turnhout, and he has as yet
attempted nothing. What his purpose is, his honour may
gather by the letter hereinclosed.Myddleburgh, 3 September.
Holograph. Add. Endd. 1 p. Seal of arms. [Holland
XVIII. f. 15.]

Sept. 4.

LORD BURGH to BURGHLEY.
Matters are here so variable that one can deliver no certainty,
but your lordship shall have what this day affords. The enemy
has not presented himself before any fresh place ; and we have
no likelihood of making head against him anywhere this year.
His Excellency and the States have had many unkindnesses,
then a reconciliation, since again a great division and now
a hope of 'unition.' At his first coming over, most of the States
forbore to go to him and the mislike grew upon certain letters
dispersed among the people. Then a reconciliation was made and
his Excellency came to Dort, to treat with them more conveniently,
but they would not repair to him, and denied all his
authority, "notwithstanding the former agreement, which they
said was rashly entertained by some, and never intended by the
States General. The government, they said, surceased at his
departure last year . . . and was since in other conditions infringed."
His Excellency, to encounter these ills first showed them the
advantage which the enemy might take by these disagreements,
but they answered as before. Then he threatened to depart,
withdraw their assistance and leave them to themselves, but
they altered nothing. "Lastly he vowed to protest them in all
places and to publish against them any misadventure to the
country, and delivered them a copy of the bill which should be
printed . . . and he is now come to Hague and expecteth their
answer." They met him at his coming, and said they had deputed
some to deliberate with him, but have done nothing. It is
thought they will submit. He is much grieved that they give out
"his only being here is for peace" ; they also say that the people
is practised with underhand. Count Hollock has sworn all
those in his towns against his Excellency ; "yet voweth that he
would serve her Majesty with any who might be here else . . ."
Briell, 4 September.
Holograph. Add. Endd. 1 pp. Seal of arms. [Ibid. XVIII.
f. 17.]

Sept. 4.

SIR WILLIAM RUSSELL to WALSINGHAM.
I am often written unto by Col. Morgan to see his promise
to the soldiers performed for the taking of John de Castilio, and
they all judge the fault to be in me that they stay so long unsatisfied.
The Princess has obtained from my lord of Leicester
the ransoming, for him, of one of the prisoners lately brought
to Bergen ; so that M. 'Tilleney's' freeing will fall out the more
easily. I pray you to take order therein by sending the rest of
the money to satisfy the poor soldiers, or at least to write your
resolution in this behalf.Vlisshing, 4 September, 1587.
Signed. Add. Endd. 1 p. [Ibid. XVIII. f. 19.]

Sept. 4.

Document endorsed "A copy of an order for the restraining
of the Dutch merchants, to save transport of gold and silver,"
and with date at above." But apparently a project for such
an order, probably sent to Burghley, as the endorsement is
partly in his hand.
1 pp. [Holland XVIII. f. 21.]

Sept. 4/14.

"A proposition to the States General, presented by the Council
of State."
Expressing his Excellency's great grief and displeasure at the
confusions and disorders into which the United Provinces have
fallen for want of fitting authority ; also that the disposition
of the moneys has not been left to him and the Council of State,
according to the government bestowed upon him. For more than
two months he has awaited some resolution from the States
General for redress of these matters ; and now urges upon them,
as they value their welfare and preservation, to send it to him
without further delay.
Ask them for the immediate payment of 50000 gulden to maintain
the English companies at the charge of the county. Also
to deliberate seriously upon the means for the war, and especially
the fleet. Also to consider and resolve upon the difficulties in
regard to the pay of the English men of war ; deputing some one
to join with the commissary, Dierick vander Does, in the business
of the accounts.The Hague, 14 September, 1587. (fn. 3)Endd. Fr. 1 pp. [Ibid. XVIII. f. 22.]

Sept. 4/14.

Certain points of which his Excellency informed the States
General concerning the pay of the English companies and the
fleet etc. The Hague, 14 September, 1587.
Flemish. 2 pp. [Ibid. XVIII. f. 24.]

Sept. 6/16.

Declaration of the States of Holland that the Advocate of
Holland, Maitre Jehan d'Oldenbarnevelt had never been heard
to say in the assembly, general or particular, that her Majesty
had charged his Excellency to have himself confirmed in the
absolute government of the United Provinces by means of a
peace made or to be made with the Prince of Parma, and that
they would not suffer anyone to use such words in their presence.
Also that the proposal made on the 2nd of this month by the
Sieurs de Valcke and Josse de Menin has not been sent into any
town, as his Excellency has been mis-informed ; but as he desired
an immediate reply, the nobles and counsellors, could not do less
than take a copy of the said proposal and reply and make report
thereof to their principals, to have the reply approved by them,
and the like in regard to the States of Zeeland, closely joined to
themselves from all time ; that they might thus be sufficiently
authorized in the assembly of the States General to satisfy his
Excellency's desire. Which the States of Holland hope his
Excellency will not otherwise interpret than as the desire they
have ever had to please him, and to second his high and heroic
designs for the service of her Majesty and the preservation of
their afflicted country.The Hague, 16 September, 1587.
By order : de Rechtere.
Copy in French. 2 pp. [Holland XVIII. f. 26.]

Sept. 8/18.

Act of the States General, whereby they confirm the authority
of his Excellency as Governor-General according to their act of
delation at his first coming ; grant him the contributions, so far
as is possible, for the carrying on of the war and preservation of
the country ; and declare that they have delivered to him their
nominations to the Council of State, to choose therefrom such as
he shall think most fit.The Hague, 18 September, 1587. (fn. 4)Copy in French. Endd. 2 pp. [Ibid. XVIII. f. 29.]

Sept. 8/18.

Another copy of the same.
In French. 2 pp. [Ibid. XVIII. f. 31.]

Sept. 8.

DE LOO to BURGHLEY.
Appeal for favour for the release of Martin de la Faille held
captive by Lord Willoughby. It is said that Lord 'Willocby'
agreed with the soldiers for a price of 3000 or 6000 florins, for
the prisoner ; which is far less than the 60000 which he demands.
The poor man is burdened with 15 children of his own besides
five orphans of his kin dependent on him. Brussels, 8 September,
1587, stilo veteri.
Add. Endd by Burghley's clerk. Italian and Latin. 1 pp.
[Flanders I. f. 328.]

Sept. 8.

DE LOO to BURGHLEY.
I am anxious to learn if my letters, sent via Calais to Haines of
Dover, have arrived safely and three earlier ones, and if her
Majesty has dispatched her deputies towards Bergen ; whereof his
Highness is anxiously expecting the news ; seeing that his whole
army is dispersed here and there, upon the assurance given him
by Mr. Controller in his letter of July 18, that the commissioners
would set out. And when your lordship writes of the suspension
of arms, it seems that the Duke allows it rather voluntarily than
by having to treat of it, wishing to act to her Majesty's entire
satisfaction, from the great affection which he bears her, and his
great desire to accomplish so pious a work. And as in wars it
is wont to happen that where one side is sated with calamities,
they begin to treat of peace, I think that the chiefs and people
of those provinces are all in this plight, and need someone to
act as mediator, so it seems that all now depends upon the
gracious interposition of her Majesty, and it is now your part
to crave of her that she will put an end to these evils.
Meanwhile the opinions of men concerning these delays are
very various, some desiring to await the issue of affairs between
the French King and the German forces, others judging otherwise.
God grant a good issue, and that the Duke of Parma, who too
long has been worried and wearied by delay, may not change his
mind and take another course, for the more openly he devotes
himself to the pacifying of all things the more bitterly will he
feel himself to be wronged if so pious a work is little accounted
of.Brussels, 8 September, 1587, stilo veteri.
Add. Endd. Italian and Latin. 2 pp. [Flanders I. f. 332.]

GUILLAUME DE BLOIS, dit TRESLONG to WALSINGHAM.
Stating that during his sojourn in England, there came into
the harbour of Rye one of his captains, under commission from
the King of Navarre, with his ship of war and four French prizes
laden with corn, driven in by tempest and contrary wind, one of
which had already agreed with the said captain to pay 1000
crowns or 3000 florins as ransom ; in regard to which it pleased
her Majesty to grant him [Treslong] the mainleve of the said
money, already deposited in the hands of Lord Cobham, but so
far he has received nothing, by reason of the imprisonment of
Secretary Davison. Prays for his honour's help in obtaining
the money. The papers will probably be still in the hands of
Mr. Davison or Mr. "Winnebancq." As his Excellency has been
pleased to write of it both to her Majesty and his honour, he will
say no more.The Hague, 20 September, 1587. Signed, Guillaume
de Blois, dit Treslong.
Add. Endd. Fr. 1 p. Seal of Arms. [Holland XVIII. f. 33.]

Sept. 10.

Paper headed "A note of such sums of money as are owing
by Richard Huddilston Esquire, late treasurer at war to several
persons, and were by him issued for her Majesty's service."
Viz : to William Beecher ; Henry Parvishe ; George Leicester ;
Alderman Martin ; Mr. Atey ; Mr. Cofferer [of the Household]
for Joseph Marre ; Sir Thomas Pattyson ; the company of
Merchants Adventurers at Middelburg ; Thomas Brune, her
Majesty's victualler ; Benedick Grove ; the Clerk of the Cheque ;
Griffith Madox, Clerk of the munition at Flushing ; and Henrike
Ortison, merchant of Utrecht. Total 4483l. 5s. 8d. besides what
is due to Brune.
Endd. by Burghley. "10 September, 1587. Delivered to me by
George Leicester." 1 p. [Ibid. XVIII. f. 35.]

Sept. 10.

ALESSANDRO DE LA TORRE to ANTONIO DI FONTI.
"Through the great silence I have not failed to perform my
promise to the advancement of the service of her Majesty in
the quarters, most necessary, especially at Rome, to the effect
to conserve the friends there in their good will, as they were
before ; the which the contrary party has sought to alter so much
as they could, helping them with the occasion lately happened
in England ; but by my continual advertising and instructions
of good hope of larger friendship . . . of the hands of her Majesty,
through taking away the foresaid occasion of the Scots queen,
. . . . [I] effected thus much, that where before I was commanded
to stay my writing and communication with his honour," I have
now order to continue it, of which, and of my goodwill towards
him, I pray you signify him, to whom I make my hearty recommendations,
"congratulating him of his new honourable estate, . . .
of which promotion I have given advice at Rome, the which
is good hearing unto him [sic], the more that his honour is matched
with such a honourable party as is the Lord Treasurer . . . of the
which and of other great affairs, tending to the overthrow of the
pretenders of the invasion of the realm, I could give his honour
good particular and present means ; but considering the weight
of the affairs, it is not to be committed to the pen, . . . for the
which [reason] I wish myself by him for a time, and have done all
diligence to bring to pass, but there is commission procured by
the contrary party . . . to stop my going over ;" so that our
friends at Rome "give advice to procure it by another way ;
that his honour by the way of the Roinne mer should impetradt
for [me] to stay there (fn. 5) for a time, which abiding there is thought
by our friends shall advance such a piece of service, tending
to the conservation of the realm and her Majesty's state, as may
be wished for this present, a point which our contrary part much
abhors, and seeks to 'impediated' [sic] with all their forces. To
this effect, they have advanced him there through whom they
think to practise the same more at their will but against that
plot, her Majesty is able to prefer another, which may much before
him, in such a state, procure the advancement of her service.
By these means aforesaid, I fail not in these parts to do the like
service where it may do good. The parties at this side be much
disposed to his honour's pretention. I will not fail to ply [?] it
at all times when occasion shall permit, and offer the same as
concerning the affairs of Rome. None of our friends there have
consented to this promotion of Allen, but have much stomached
at it . . . This sending of me thither rather openly than closely, it
will prove a piece of so fit and necessary for this present as
may be imaginated. Thus much it shall please you to show to his
honour in all speed, to bring the sooner in effect this my pretended
coming, which is to open a communication between his honour
and some special well known friends at Rome, to further this
communication here." Antwerp, 10 September 1587. (fn. 6)Signed in cipher. Add : "Al magnifico Signor, il Signor
Antonio di Fonti, gentilhomo in Londres." Endd. From B.
at Antwerp. 1 p. [Flanders I. f. 336.]

Footnotes

2. These seem to be the letters of 28 August and 6 Sept., n.s., printed at pp.
252, 281 above, which are copied in the same hand, and the folds correspond with
those of this letter. On the 2nd Willoughby forwarded two intercepted letters
to Leicester. Hist. MSS. Com. Ancaster MSS., p. 59possibly these were
the originals.